The military wing of the Islamist movement Hamas have claimed responsibility for the attack on a West Bank Jewish settlement which left three Israelis dead today.
Five Palestinians were also killed in ongoing violence in the Gaza Strip.
Two Palestinians entered and opened fire on housing trailers in the Jewish settlement of Karmei Tsur, near Hebron, the Israeli army said this morning. Among the three killed were a pregnant woman and her husband.
One of the attackers was shot dead by settlers, while the second escaped in the direction of the Palestinian town of Halhul.
Five Israelis were also wounded in the attack on the Karmei Tsur settlement, two of whom are in a serious condition. Witnesses say the attackers sneaked into the settlement sometime after 2 a.m.
In Gaza, five Palestinians were killed in two separate attempted strikes on Israelis, including two armed militants shot dead while swimming towards a Jewish settlement, the Israeli army said.
The attack came as Israeli Prime Minister Mr Ariel Sharon prepares to leave for Washington, where he will meet US President George W. Bush on Monday.
AFP &